Jackson Arena Shuffle

A plan to build a multipurpose arena in Jackson, Miss., is changing directions after one developer backed out and another stepped in with an alternate plan.

Arizona-based Global Entertainment Corp. is considering building a 6,000- to 6,500-seat arena in Jackson at an estimated cost of $40 million to $45 million, according to City Councilwoman Margaret Barrett-Simon. The company also operates the Central Hockey League and owns 17 teams in it, which is another plus for the city.

“They are most interested in coming to Jackson, and the Central Hockey League is a major part of the operation,” she said. “Hockey would be an important piece of this.”

The announcement was made following developer Greg Disotell’s decision to abandon his plan to build a $40 million arena in Jackson and move the project to nearby Pearl.

Disotell’s plan was to tear down the city’s Smith-Wills Stadium, which has hosted pro baseball teams, college baseball and other events, and build a 9,000- to 12,000-seat arena at the location.

“It was a business decision,” Disotell said. “My experts, my architects and my engineers spent a lot of time and money evaluating Smith-Wills, and it was not feasible.”

However, court records reportedly show that Disotell had nearly $300,000 in federal liens against him between 1998 and 2003. He announced he’d bought the property in Pearl the day before he was to turn in paperwork detailing his financing plan to the Jackson City Council.

The facility in Pearl is expected to seat up to 12,000 and will be home to the minor league indoor football team Mississippi Headhunters, which Disotell owns.

The project is expected to break ground in November with a goal of opening February 2008.

Pollstar‘s attempt to reach a Global Entertainment Corp. representative was unsuccessful at press time.